An unexpected arrival Part 9

The solar system in which the Captain Miller and his crew emerged was essentially a flickering red star, orbited by the debris of its former planets. Unstable orbits had long ago caused them to crash into eachother, littering the entire system with their remnants. A few smaller planetoids still remained, but they lacked any sort of atmosphere and were subject to intermittent asteroid strikes. The system was however home to a myriad of mining platforms. The floating rocks were rich in minerals and could easily be tractored to one for processing. Some larger asteroids had facilities built right on them. And on the very outskirts of the system, far from the orbiting chunks of ship-smashing rock, a space station had been built. The aging facility was a sprawling mass of repurposed ship hulls and the like.

Thankfully, this time around the Event Horizon had slipped back into normal space in a far less traumatic fashion than before. Gravitational distortions were minimal and no psychic backlash could be felt.

"Report!" Miller demanded.

It was one of Kilpack's men that replied, "Sir, picking up dozens of ships. We've definitely been detected, but none are changing course to intercept."

"Well, that definitely beats our last reception," Miller said, strolling across to look over the man's shoulder.

He was clearly correct. None of the ships so much slowed speed or changed course in the slightest. They all seemed to be going about their business, as though an alien vessel hadn't just appeared on the edge of their solar system. But, upon closer inspection, Miller also noticed that many of the ships were distinctly different from eachother. They were all alien to him, but uniquely so.

"I... think we're looking at several different races, here. It might not be as hard to blend in as I thought," he said.

Kilpack joined him at the console.

"Hmmm... these readings aren't much to go on. But I am arriving at the same conclusion," he said.

Miller thought for a long moment, "Go ahead and hail the station."

It was time to make first contact.